Flashback Friday: The Roots and Paula Cole

Edd said: I love hip hop, but I wouldn’t dare call 90 percent of hip-hop artists “musicians.” The Roots are the exception to the rule.The Philadelphia-bred band is renowned for their jazzy approach to hip hop, using live instruments instead of rapping over canned, synthesized beats. Do You Want More?!!!??!, their major-label debut, is often mentioned as one of hip hop’s all time greatest albums – thanks to eclectic instrumentation and the vastly underrated wordplay of lyricist Black Thought.

Jai said: Even if you only listen to rap and R&B, chances are you know at least one Paula Cole song. Her hit “I Don’t Want to Wait” was ubiquitous in the late 90s thanks to it being the theme song of the show “Dawson’s Creek.” That song, however, doesn’t truly represent Cole’s unique and edgy sound. From the ironic “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?” to the sensuous “Feelin’ Love,” This Fire is one of the few albums I own that I can slide into my CD player and not skip a single track.

Now, it’s your turn. Email edward@soulinstereo.com, hit us up on Twitter @etbowser or @writeousbabe, or stop by the comments section and share your Flashback Friday album. Leave a couple of sentences describing what makes it so great. We’ll feature your album on the blog.